Propeller mounting and control means



A. KosT 2,306,703 PROPELLER MOUNTING AND CONTROL MEANS Filed, July i5, 1940 5 sheets-sheet 1 Dec. 29,y 1942.

Dec.5 29, Y1942'.

A. KosT PROPELLER MOUNTING AND CONTROL MEANS Filed July l5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 |NVENTOR vm1/40)? /fosf cea Dec. 29, 1942. l A KOST '2,306,703

PROPELLER MOUNTING AND CONTROL MEANS y A Filedl July l5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 and diving ability f the same,

Patented Deer-29, 1942 I UNITED STATES PATENT oFFici-z Pnormnrt MOUNTING AND CONTROL MEANS l Alwin Kost, Portland, Oreg.

Application July 15, 1940, serial No. 345,584

' (c1. 17o-15e) Claims.

This invention relates to propeller mounting and controi means of a type applicable to propellers used in air or water or any like medium.

The present invention utilizes much of the mechanical movement disclosed in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 206,852, filed May 9,

An object of this invention is to provide adjustable means for mounting a propeller so that the angle of the propellewtive to' the object propelled maybe varied and tofurthgrxprovide means for adjusting the angle of said propeller.

Propellers on both air and water craft are us- Y `V"allyiixedly and non-adjustably secured to driven shafts in a position at right anglesto the shaft. When thus mounted the thrust of the propeller is always in the longitudinal direction ofthe shaft and auxiliary means such as rudders. ailerons or elevators are required to guide the craft. It is an object of this invention t6 provide gg a propeller which is adjustable into different angles relative to the axis of the shaft by which it is driven to thereby control the direction of the craft on which it is mounted and make it possible Fig.` 5 is a fragmentary detached view partly in elevation and partly lx1-section of the propeller supporting means shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the device on a i smaller scale than the other figures showing by Afull and broken lines respectively two inclined positions into which the propeller may be adjusted in operation.

Fig. 'I is an elevation of an indicating device used in connection with my propeller control and mounting means toindicate visually to the oper adjust able propeller.

to dispense with the usual guidlngnorngteeringg,

Mfg/fra devices.

Another object of this invention is to greatly increase the maneuverability and flexibility of an aeroplane and to increase the turning, climbing A further object is to mount a propeller so that A it may be tiltably adjusted on an axis passing "through the hub portion of the propeller at substantially right angles to theaxls of rotation ofthe propeller, to provide means for tiltably 'adjusting said propeller, and to provide means for angularly adjusting'the axis on which the propeller is tiltably mounted whereby the propeller may be inclined in any desired position. @ther/objects of the invention will be apparent fro'm the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of propeller` control and mounting means constructed in accordance with this invention, parts being shown in elevation ,and a motor` being shown. diagrammatically. Y

Fig. 2 is a sectional view with parts in elevation taken substantially on broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 50

Fig. 3 is a sectional view with parts in elevation taken substantially on brokenline 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view with parts in elevation and other parts broken away taken substantially on broken line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1o is a detached elevation,ofpropellerY supporting sleeve shown in Fig. 9.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

In this application I have disclosed aY propelle/ @wird and ,rpnntmgmeansetoat-"is especially n A11 e Y w'eiralnapted for use on aeroplanes where climbing, diving and turning in all directionsis in; 4

volvca but it win bc understood that this/prpeller` may also be used as a marine propeller l either for submarine vessels or for surface vessels. When the device is used on surface vessels it is not necessary to use the vertical'steering means as only horizontal steering is required.

In the drawings, III designates a fixed frame of one or more pieces suitably shaped to provide supportingand bearingand housing means for the various parts. A motorMJs securlediothisframe. As this motor I I may be ofY any approved type and does not constitute a part of this invention it is shown diagrammatically by dot and dash lines in Figs. 1 and 6. A driven motor shaft I2 is connected with the motor II and extendsvout wardly therefrom to a propeller to be driven. v

Three tubular bearing and supporting members I3, I4 and I5 respectively are secured to the frame I0 by cap screws I6 which pass through overlapping base flanges I3', I4 and I5' of the respective members I3, I 4 and I5 and are threaded into theframe I0. 'I'he tubular members I3, I4 and I5 are of successively larger diameters respectively and are all positioned coaxially of the shaft I2.

The inner tubular member I3 serves as a housing for the shaft I2 and suitable anti-friction.

bearings I1 for the shaft I2 are provided therein, Thrust on shaft I 2 may be taken care of in bearings II or at the point of connection with motor I I,

A closely fitting propeller supporting sleeve I8 is rotatably mounted on the inner tubular member I3 and within the medial tubular member I4. This sleeve i8 has a worm gear I9 rigidly secured on its inner end portion, said worm gear being positioned within a housing 20 formed by an enlarged portion of tl'iemedial tubular member I 4. Forked bracket members 2 I Figs. 1, 4, 5 and for the purpose of supporting a propeller as here- I inafter described.

An externally threaded sleeve 22 is slidably and nonrotatably mounted on the exterior of the medial tubular member I4. A key or spline 23 is operatively disposed between the lmember I4 and threaded sleeve 22 to prevent relative rotation between these two parts and at the sametime allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

An internally threaded sleeve nut 24 operatively engages the exterior of the threaded sleeve 22 and is supported within the outer tubular member I5. One end of sleeve nut 24 abuts against a fixed portion of the medial tubular ....c llf-gmembenaM--and the other end of said nut 24 38 and serves to tilt or angularly adjust the propeller and to hold the same at any angle at which it is set. Obviously movement of the collar 28 longitudinally of the medial tubular member I4 in either direction will vary the incline or angle of the propeller.

The shaft I2 is connected by universal joint means 43 with the bearing support 33 of the propeller. The universal joint means 43 is po- -sitioned substantially co-axially of the pins 38 Gare provided on the outer end of th'e sleeve I8 an incline to the axis of the shaft I2.

and provides a drive through which the torque of the shaft I2, when it is driven, is communicated to the propeller irrespective of whether thepropeller is positioned at right angles or at The mechanism for imparting angular movement to the propeller supporting sleeve I8 about.

its axis comprises a worm 44 meshing'with`"the `worm wheel I9, see Figarf'lhe worm 44 is secured on a shaft 45 that is .iournaled in the ggment of the propeller supporting sleeve I8 by rotation of shaft 49 will angularly adjust thea-ff position of the bearing spportingrringGmut abuts against a shoulder 2`5`orrthe-end-portion `the axis of the shaft I2 and this will adjust the of the outer tubular member I5. A worm wheel -angular position of the axis of the pins 38. The

26 is rigidwith the sleeve nut 24 and positioned 30 collar 28 is free to rotate on flange 22' when within a housing 2l formed within an enlarged portion of the outer tubular member I5.

The outer end portion of the externally threaded sleeve 22 has an externally directed annular a collar 28 andis secured to said collar by a washer plate 30. and the externally threaded sleeve 22, leaving the collar 28 free to rotate relative to the sleeve 22 but making said collar 28 longitudinally mov- 40 cured on a shaft 5I.

able on the tubular supporting'member I4 along Y with the sleeve 22.

Preferably an extensible tubular guard 39 made o'fraecordion pleated weather proof flexib1e materialsitveppes iieewcted control sllafti.V by rings 39 to the collar 28 and adjacen en f- Tl mechanism for A-Ctllatllg the portion of the tubular memberL I5 respectively.

lowelgtgirtion 59 on the part to which it is connected so that the and Divoted for oscillation on piVO Si71lS`s5`5.-\`

link is angularly moved. The position of the axis of the pivot pins 38 will determine the direction in which the propeller will be tilted when the collar 28 is moved longitudinally on flange 22' that fits within an annular notch in 35 the tubular member I4.

,Longitudinalemovement of sleeve 22 and collar 'I'hi`s"`connectsthe-collar28rpm Y28 is produced by rotation of sleeve nut 24. 'The mechanism for rotatingl sleeve nut 24 comprises a worm 58 meshing with worm wheel 28 and se- Worm 50 and shaft 5I are similar to worm 44 and shaft 45 shown in Fig. 3. Bevelgears 52 conn a vertical shaft 53. Other bevel gears 54 connect the vertical shaft 53 with a horizontal tilt post 5s having frm-ree.

collar 28 may rotate relative to the tubular mem- 50 Fig. 2,'that are journaled in the frame 10. Figsber I5 without damage to the guard-39. The

guard 39 excludesA all/formspdirtand moisture.

The propeller comprises a recessedrnubportion 3| having blades 32 thereon. A beari1g\ 1, 2 and 6. A gear segment 39 on the forked lower end portion of the steering post 56 meshes with a gearwheel 58 on a shaft 60. Bevel gears \-5V!-`pro vlie a driving connection between the support 33 is threaded into the hub 3| and thus 55 Shaft 60 ad'tli'e`postiGn-GOIX11QL Shaft 49- Tilt' rigidly secured to the propeller. Preferably a set screw 29 is used to lock the member 33 to the propeller hub 3|. The bearing support 33. is positioned within a `bearing comprisingl an ing movement of steering post wiil impart rotation to shaft 49 and angularly position the propeller supporting sleeve I8.

The mechanism for actuating the tilt control inner race 34 balls 35 an outer race 36 and a 60 shaft 55 comprises a wheel 62 positioned on the supporting ring 31 for the outer race. The supporting ring 3'I is provided at diametrically opposite points with outwardly protruding coaxial pins 38 that are pivotally supported in the forked steeringpost 55 and operatively connected by shaft B3, bevel gears 64, shaft 65, bevel gears 66, shaft 61 and universal joint 68 with the tilt control shaft 55. The tilt control shaft 55 is bracket members 2| of the propeller supporting 65 rotated by the turning of this hand wheel 62 sleeve I8 and provide an adjustable axisabout which the propeller is tilted. The axis of pins 38 is transverse to the axis of the shaft I2 and intersects the axis of the shaft I2.

and serves to move the collar28 longitudinally on the tubular member I4 and tilt the propeller. The shaft 61 is journaled in a bracket 10 that is rigid with the steering post and the universal A link member 40 has one end portion con- 70 joint 68 is positioned substantially on the axis nected by a pivot pin 4I .with the bearing supporting ring 3l and the other end portion connected by a pivot pin 42 with the collar 28. This -link member 48 is preferably positioned at subof the pivot studs 5'I whereby it will allow tilting of the steering post and at the same time provide a driving connection between shafts 61 and 55.

stantially right angles to the axis of the pins 7l An indicator to show the amount and direcect shaft HEL# tion of tilt of the propeller is provided. One indicator which may be so used is shown in Figs.

bevel gears 88 connect sleeve 11 witha shaft 8|.

Shaft 19 is connected by bevel gears 82, Fig.' 1, with the position control shaft 48 and shaft 8| is connected by bevel gears 83 with thetilt control shaft 55. Obviously the means connecting the pointers 14 and 15 with the propeller control'devices may be varied as long as the pointer 14 is operatively connected with the mechanism for controlling the angular position of the-pro peller supporting sleeve I8 and the pointer 15 is operatively connected with the means for longitudinally moving the collar 28 to tilt the propeller.

Thel operation of this propeller mounting an control is as follows: When the collar 28 is moved longitudinally on the tubular member' I4 the link 48 will tilt the propeller on the axis of pins 38 and the angular position of the axis of the pins 38 will determine the direction of tilt.

When the collar 28 is in the longitudinal position shown in Fig. l, then the propeller will always be in a plane at right angles to the shaft I2 irrespective of the angular position of said collar 28. If the axis of pins 38 is horizontal and the link 48 is in its lowermost position, that is, directly below the axis of shaft I2 when the airplane or other craft on which the propeller is installed is in an upright position, then out,-l ward movement of the collar toward the universal joint 43 will tilt the propeller about a horizontal axis into a climbing position as show'n by dot and dash lines in Fig. 6. Inward movement of the echar 28 from the position shown'in Fing. 1, will tilt the propeller about the same horizontal axis into a diving position as shown by full lines in Fig. 6. If the propeller supporting sleeve I8 is angularly moved ninety degrees from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 6 then the axis of pins -38 will be vertical and movement of collar 28 along tubular member I4 will-incline the propeller l sidewise f or lateral turning either to the right or to the left, depending on the direction of movement of the collar 28 on the tubular member:

I4. If the axis of pins 58 is inclined between the horizontal and the vertical then longitudinal movement of the collar 28 in either direction from the position shown in Fig. l, will tilt the propeller at an angle that will tend to steer the airplane both horizontally and vertically.

Providing for rotary movement of the propeller' supporting sleeve I8 through an angle of ninety degrees and for longitudinal movement of the collar 28 in both directions from the position shown in Fig. 1, would make it possible to tilt the propeller into any desired angular-position throughout a full threehundred sixty degrees. However-,I have provided for moving the prothrough a given angle to the right or to the left from the position shown in Figs. l and 6. Obviously satisfactory operation will be provided if the steering post 88 can lonly be tiltedin one direction, that is; either forwardly or rearwardly from the vertical position. v

When the steering post 58 is in the vertical position shown by full lines in Figs. 1 and 6, the axis of the pins 38 will be horizontal. With the steering post 58 thus vertically positioned, turning of the steering wheel 62 in one direction will the opposite direction will move the propeller supporting sleeve outwardly and incline the propeller as shown by dot and dash lines in Fig, 6.

parted'to the propeller bythe link 48 will be peller supporting sleeve I8 through an angle of ene hundred eighty. degrees, that-is through an angle of ninety degrees in either direction from the position shown in Fig. 1, by tilting the steering column either forwardly or rearwardly as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, and have provided for obtaining the same angular positioning of the propeller in response to a predetermined amount of movement of the steering wheel 82 in a' predetermined direction irrespective of 75 If the steering post 56 is inclined either in a forward or a rearward direction from-the position shown in Fig. 1, the sleeve I8 will be rotated and the axis of the pins 38 will be angularly moved away from a horizontal position and any tilt imon this non-horizontal axis. If the sleeve I8 is moved far enough to position the-axis of the pins 38 vertically then the propeller will be tilted about this vertical axis to provide for horizontal steering only.

The pointer 14 may always indicate on the dial 13 the angular position of the axis of the pins 88 relative to the horizontal. For instance in Fig. 6, this pointer 14 indicates that the axis of pins 38 is oriented ten degrees from the horizontal. The pointer 15 preferably4 indicates directly the number of degrees of tilt that the propeller is inclined relative to a plane at right angles to the axis of shaft I2.

The collar 28 may be moved longitudinally at any time to vary the tilt of the propeller irrespective ofthe rotary position of the propeller supporting sleeve I8 and said sleeve I8 may be moved angularly at any time to vary the propeller tilt irrespective of the longitudinal position of the collar 28.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a propeller mounting and control means constructed in accordance with this invention and embodying a hydraulic tilt control. v

In these figures is a propeller hub, 88 a bearing supporting ring, 81 a propeller bearing and 88 a universal joint connecting the propel- 1er hub with a driven shaft 89. A- propeller supporting sleeve 88 is rotatably mounted on a iixed tubular supporting member 9|A that is secured to fixed frame means 82. The forward end of the sleeve 88 has two spaced apart propeller vsupporting brackets 93, Fig. 10, fixed thereon and pivotally connected with the bearing supporting ring 86 bytwo pivot pins94, Fig. 10. The pivot pins 84 and brackets 83 are similar to the pivot pins 38 and brackets 2| shown inv Figs. 1,'4 and 6.

and function similarly to provide an adjustable axis upon which the propeller 85 can be tilted.

Flange means 85 removably secured to the sleeve 'whether the propeller supporting sleeve is moved Awith the conduits 99' to control the supply of fluid under pressure to the cylinder 98 and angularly position the sleeve 90. The hydraulic cylinder 98 is preferably supported by pivot means |00 connected with a fixed frame |00 whereby a slight swingingmovement of this cylinder is provided. Approximately ninety degrees angular movement of the sleeve` 90 is preferably provided for.

The bearing supporting ring 86 is pivotally connected, preferably at two diametrically opposite locations, with piston rods |0| that operate in hydraulic cylinders |02 and have cup leathers |03 or like piston means provided on the end portions thereof. 'Ihe cylinders |02 are supported by pivots |04 that are connected with brackets |05 which are rigid with the sleeve 90 whereby the cylinders |02 and rods |0| move angularly with the sleeve 90.

Fluid pressure conduit means |06 is connected with the rear end portion of each cylinder I 02 for the supply and exhaust of uid under pressure. Suitable fluid pressure supply and control means is connected with the :duid pressure conduit means |06.

Except that the propeller means of Figs. 9 and |0 is controlled by hydraulic instead of mechanical means its operation is similar to the operation of the propeller means shown in Figs- 1 to 8 inclusive and hereinbefore described. Angular movement of the sleeve 90 angularly positions the axis of the pins 94 upon which the propeller is supported and the tilting of the propeller on the axis of pins 94 is controlled by the pistonl rods |0l.

The usual airplane propeller exerts a straight ahead pull on the airplane with which it is connected. To steer such an airplane ruddersI elevators, ailerons and -the like are ordinarily used to deect` the airplane from the course along which it is being pulled. These steering devices offer resistance to the pull exerted by the propeller. My 'present invention provides for steering by changing the direction along which the pull is applied and thereby leading the plane in the direction desired. This does away with the necessity of using steering devices which offer resistance to the pull exerted by the propeller.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention'but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative andY that changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the following. claims.

prising a bearing supporting ring; a propeller having a hubportion journaled in said bearing supporting ring; a propeller drive shaft; a universal joint connecting said propeller and said drive shaft; means pivotally supporting said bearing supporting ring for tilting movement on an axis transverse to the axis of said propeller drive shaft, said bearing, said universal joint and the pivotal supporting means for said ring all being in a common plane and in substantially the plane of the propeller; means controlling the tilting movement of said bearing supporting ring on its axis to thereby control the tilt of said propeller; and means for angularly adjusting the pivotal axis of said bearing supporting ring.

3. Propeller mounting and control means, comprising a propeller drive shaft; a. bearing supporting ring positioned substantially coaxially of said propeller drive shaft adjacent one end portion thereof; a propeller having a hub portion journaled in said bearing supporting ring; universal joint meansconnecting said propeller and said shaft; a rotatably adjustable propeller supporting sleeve mounted-coaxially of said drive shaft; means pivotally mounting said bearing supporting ring on said propeller supporting sleeve on a pivotal axis that is transverse to and intersects the axis of said drive shaft, said bearing, said universal joint and the pivotal supporting means for said ring all being in a common plane and in substantially the plane of the propeller; sleeve rotating means connected with said sleeve for angularly adjustingthe axis of the pivot means of said bearing supporting ring; and means connected with said bearing supporting ring for angularly adjusting said `bearing supporting ring on the axis on which it is supported by said sleeve.

4. Propeller mounting and control means, comprising a propeller drive shaft; a bearing supporting ring positioned substantially coaxially of said propeller drive shaft adjacent one end portion thereof; a propeller having a hub portion ring on its axis to thereby control the tilt of said propeller for steering purposes.

'2. Propeller mounting and control means comjournaled in said bearing supporting ring; universal joint means connecting said propeller and said shaft; a rotatably adjustable propeller supporting sleeve mounted coaxially of said drive shaft; means pivotally mounting said bearing supporting. ring on said propeller -supporting sleeve on a pivotal axis that is transverse to and intersects the axis of said drive shaft, said bearing, said universal joint and the pivotal supporting means forA said ring -all being in a common plane and in substantially the plane of the propeller; sleeve rotating meansconnected with saidsleeve for angularly. adjusting the axis of the pivot means of' said bearing supporting ring;

a longitudinally movable sleeve; means for longitudinally adjusting -said last mentioned sleeve: and a link connecting said last mentioned sleeve with said bearing supporting ring at a point re-4 moved from the. pivotal axis of said bearing supporting ring for tilting said bearing supporting ring in response to longitudinal movement'of said last mentioned sleeve.

5. Propeller mounting and control means, comsupporting ring on said propeller supporting sleeve on a pivotal Iaxis that is transverse to and intersects the axis of said drive shaft; sleeve rotating means connected with said sleeve for angularly adjusting the axis of the pivot means oi i said bearing supporting ring; a longitudinally movable sleeve; longitudinaladjusting means connected with said longitudinally movable sleeve: a link connecting said longitudinally movable sleeve with said bearing supporting ring 10 at a. point removed from the pivotaiaxis of said bearing supporting ring for tilting said bearing supporting ring in response to longitudinal movement of said longitudinally `movable sleeve; and

indicator means operatively connected .with said sleeve rotating means and with said longitudinal adjusting means and adapted to indicate respectively the' direction of tilt and the amount of tilt of said propeller.

ALWIN KOST. 

